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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Hard to define, it's sci-fi, romance, mystery
Very different to Gardner's previous work, though I suppose there are some similarities to Maggot Moon. This will not appeal widely, being confusing at times - I spent a lot of the time reading it wondering where the author was taking me.
Told via several narrators, we build up a picture of a past disappearance, but the fantastical elements mean we are not sure if it was a death, a murder or just someone vanishing into thin air. Jazmin misses her best friend, and the book takes us with her as fantastical elements swirl around the plot seeming bizarre until they come together and make some sort of sense at the end, revealing what happened to Becky.
It's unusual, though this usually doesn't faze me, but I didn't take to the genre/plot. I didn't feel like giving up on it, I was intrigued enough to get to the end, but I finished and didn't feel particularly satisfied.
This is one I'd only recommend to very particular teen readers, most will find it a little too 'out there', it is smart and well-written with several identifiable voices, but is not going to keep the attention of the majority of 12-16 year olds.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Very different to Gardner's previous work, though I suppose there are some similarities to Maggot Moon. This will not appeal widely, being confusing at times - I spent a lot of the time reading it wondering where the author was taking me.
Told via several narrators, we build up a picture of a past disappearance, but the fantastical elements mean we are not sure if it was a death, a murder or just someone vanishing into thin air. Jazmin misses her best friend, and the book takes us with her as fantastical elements swirl around the plot seeming bizarre until they come together and make some sort of sense at the end, revealing what happened to Becky.
It's unusual, though this usually doesn't faze me, but I didn't take to the genre/plot. I didn't feel like giving up on it, I was intrigued enough to get to the end, but I finished and didn't feel particularly satisfied.
This is one I'd only recommend to very particular teen readers, most will find it a little too 'out there', it is smart and well-written with several identifiable voices, but is not going to keep the attention of the majority of 12-16 year olds.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
diannenah's review against another edition
2.0
Well, the book cover is a plus point because when you hold it, it really feels like notebook that Becky was using with small boxes in each pages for you to write.
Overall, its romannce/sci-fi which I dont really get at first but eventually will at the end. Not such a big fan. Not my style.
Overall, its romannce/sci-fi which I dont really get at first but eventually will at the end. Not such a big fan. Not my style.
fern17's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bardicbramley's review against another edition
4.0
I think I described this to a friend as an 'almost modern day London Stranger Things'... and honestly I think that sums it up quite well!
I really enjoyed the story and all the sci-fi elements were perfect. The mystery was unraveled slowly and gently in a wonderfully gripping way, but I'm torn on the ending.
It's almost too neatly tied up with a beautiful neat bow... or maybe I'm just picky!
I would recommend this for older children and early teens, as it has some sexual relationships (though no explicit scenes) and mentions of drug use (in the sense of people 'being on drugs').
I really didn't like the writing style at first. I'm not a big fan of first person or epistolary styles, however by the end I could appreciate how well it worked in favour of the story.
I really enjoyed the story and all the sci-fi elements were perfect. The mystery was unraveled slowly and gently in a wonderfully gripping way, but I'm torn on the ending.
It's almost too neatly tied up with a beautiful neat bow... or maybe I'm just picky!
I would recommend this for older children and early teens, as it has some sexual relationships (though no explicit scenes) and mentions of drug use (in the sense of people 'being on drugs').
I really didn't like the writing style at first. I'm not a big fan of first person or epistolary styles, however by the end I could appreciate how well it worked in favour of the story.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up as it’s on the 2019 Carnegie Longlist. It features aliens and mysterious events so isn’t typically the kind of book I’d go for.
Jazmine is trying to come to terms with the disappearance of her best friend, Becky. There’s no trace of her, but we learn she jumped off a tower and disappeared.
We dip into the past and present to try to learn the circumstances of what’s going on. We’re introduced to the friends, learn about their relationships and their keen interest in two other characters who seemingly disappeared after jumping from a tower.
This is not a particularly taxing read, and the story is not necessarily credible. However, it explores some interesting questions about humanity and what makes us as we are.
I’ll be interested to see if this makes the shortlisted titles.
Jazmine is trying to come to terms with the disappearance of her best friend, Becky. There’s no trace of her, but we learn she jumped off a tower and disappeared.
We dip into the past and present to try to learn the circumstances of what’s going on. We’re introduced to the friends, learn about their relationships and their keen interest in two other characters who seemingly disappeared after jumping from a tower.
This is not a particularly taxing read, and the story is not necessarily credible. However, it explores some interesting questions about humanity and what makes us as we are.
I’ll be interested to see if this makes the shortlisted titles.
jasmine_books342's review against another edition
5.0
It started a bit slow but soon picked up. I've never read a book like this, it was interesting. I found the book enjoyable and had me guessing. The ending was unexpected, but I think it was the perfect way to end the book.
sparklesnowwhite's review against another edition
2.0
I recieved this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
This book just wasnt for me.
I will say that it was very well thought out and fantastically written. It had a very interesting writing style and I didnt know where the story was going for a long time.
But I'm not normally a lover of Alien books and this one sadly was no exception.
I did think the switch from characters could have been smoother but we still knew who was who.
Overall a very interesting read but just not my style.
This book just wasnt for me.
I will say that it was very well thought out and fantastically written. It had a very interesting writing style and I didnt know where the story was going for a long time.
But I'm not normally a lover of Alien books and this one sadly was no exception.
I did think the switch from characters could have been smoother but we still knew who was who.
Overall a very interesting read but just not my style.
louisebloor's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ishareads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0